Category: Short Story
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Love and Healing
Dreaming of nomadic travels roaming our planet, searching for tranquil moments surrounded by nature.
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Saguaro National Park East, Again
I have returned with more of my desert hiking experiences forthcoming.
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Happy New Year, 2023
I wish everyone’s dreams, desires, and expectations to become a reality in 2023 and beyond.
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Retiree anniversary
I once was a hard-working, career-minded son, military personnel, husband, father, civil service worker to survive and enjoy the fruits of forty years of work/hard labor since the age of eight. I’m currently a highly-skilled veteran retiree who travels full-time in an RV relishing in the beauty of each day…
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The wisdom of 4-questions; “part-2, short story”
We have begun every day with a sideways kiss ( you know overnight bad breath and all ) and a hug.
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The wisdom of 4-dating questions. (Short story) part-2
We have begun our day with a sideways kiss ( you know bad breath and all ) and a hug.
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The wisdom of 4-dating questions. (Short story) 2-parts
Mom, when did you actually know you were in love with dad?
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"Wintering in the Florida Everglades."
Human Snow Birds retreat to the warmer climates mimicking mother natures migration
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PCT 2019 people and animals
Among the thousands of people hiking the Pacific Crest Trail in 2019, there are also animals, and photographer, Andrew Burns. He is not hiking the trail, but he is developing a photo picture book of hikers of the Pacific Crest Trail. You can follow his current work on Instagram at PCT People…
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“2019 Pacific Crest Trail Days.”
We are sleeping inside a pup-tent for the very first time together.
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“My nomadic travel origins,”
One aspect I thought of was my self-diagnosis of having a hyperactive personality with a dose of attention deficit disorder. 🙂
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“Fellow World Travelers.”
It is always great meeting fellow travelers who seek nomadic adventures as we are a unique tribe of people whose experiences of the open road brings joys to our hearts.
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“Their love is with me forever.”
I recently viewed the movie trailer “Green Book” scheduled for November 21, 2018, release in the US, and it triggered my thoughts about my travels across the US during my lifetime. I was moved emotionally as I thought of my parents who suffered through their fears, worries, and concern for…
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“Chipmunks Everywhere!”
I was taking a short day hike around the campground in Collier Memorial Park in Oregon when I met another camper/traveler and our conversation turned to current events. It was unique how on August 25, 2018, neither one of us were aware of current events, and in so many ways…
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“Travel dreams crossing the U.S.”
It has been a little over a month since I last posted a blog simply because I’m enjoying the time of my life fulfilling my dreams. The photos displayed in this blog post and the next couple to follow identify my destinations across the U. S. from Grand Isle…
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“Angry voice of gratitude.”
I will never forget the sunny Monday morning inside the coffee shop, knowing you had seen me dozens if not hundreds of times reading the new paper. But on this particular morning, your cheerful smiling hello sparked my day of depression its hope when you agreed to hike a local…
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“Table talk.” (short Story)
The town of Creighton New Hampshire was to celebrate the 1948 class reunion of the small towns only high school with 43 of the original 97 class members still alive. On Friday morning the weekend of the festivities at the Jenkins diner, in Creighton New Hampshire an elderly man enters shuffling…
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“Fathers Day.”
Today men all over America are celebrating Father’s Day spending time with their families, throwing a ball in the yard or enjoying a quiet day they all deserve. My father, taught me by example that every day is “Fathers Day” because my father worked consistently, rarely taking a day off,…
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“Juxtapose, the yearly ceremony.”
Again, as usual, I am seated watching the archaic traditions leaving no assumptions for what is to happen at this ceremony that has been held every year since 1877. I glance around to see the awkward familiar faces and, I imagine many other narcissists have gathered here guiltily pretending to care,…
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Arizona’s Route 89A, a scenic drive.
Everyone who visits Arizona always recommends the Grand Canyon and their next recommendation is usually the city of Sedona AZ to see the picturesque red mountains surrounding the town. Many travelers use some form of an electronic map on their cellular phone or the built-in mapping system in their vehicle…
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“Appreciating natural surroundings.”
Usually, on the weekends mostly during the morning hours, a hiking trail fills with groups of people flaunting their newly purchased hiking and backpacking gear. These groups move along in packs of ten or more resembling a social bubble with verbal noise drowning out the beauty of songbirds chirping from…
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“Astonished tantrum.”
I have witnessed unbelievable angry tantrums and lost tempers by toddlers, children, teenagers, and adults. But, during a lovely wedding, I watched a 5’4″, 160-pound, grey-haired woman, with bright red lipstick and crimson rouge applied to her cheeks, in her mid to late eighties. I have heard her calmly tell…
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“Vaguely bestowed history.” (short story)
Ms, Charlotte Wetzler, was seated on the main stage, looking out upon well over 500-hundred guests who are her former students and the recipients of her 42- years of teaching eight and ninth grade American and World history. Accompanying the stage with Ms. Wetzler are members of her school’s administration,…
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“Rubber Mallet.” ( short story)
With each swing of the mallet, I pound the spike deeper into the ground. Anger, jealousy, envy, and hate fuels my swings but, I cannot stop pounding the spike more profoundly into the ground until my arm and shoulder begin to ache as tears and sweat streaming along my cheeks.…
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“Montgomery Alabama.”
On a cold rainy spring day, I toured several critical locations in the city of Mongomery Alabama which is ground zero of the Civil Rights Era in America. In 1877 the Dexter St. Baptist Church was founded when congregants moved from the First Colored Baptist Church in Montgomery Al. In…
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“Our timeless love.”
Our family, our children, forty years we made. The mind-numbing daily routine we made. Our separate sleeping bedrooms we agreed. Because of commitments, our love has become veiled from one another, allowing our hearts to become etched hallowed caves. Our separate cars to attend church we agreed. Our time for…
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“Radiant eyes.”
From the time, I saw her from across the dance floor, I was tranced into seeing them closer. Standing in front of her, I was awakened by her voice with my mouth opened breathing heavy, I was mesmerized by a uniquely beautiful pair of eyes. When I spoke, I…
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Betrayed and frantic, I think not!”
Since Feb I have enjoyed and settled into the Florida warmth, and because of cold temperatures, I used my backpacking pants’ less than a week. As March winds to an end, my mind repeatedly drifts to traveling the roads in the vast western US and hiking/backing treelined canopy trails. Although…
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“Identical.”
Every day since forever, I have seen you, and we are identical twins. I look into your eyes, and I see the mirror image of me. I have seen pictures of you, and you look like me. Your cheekbones, lips, eyebrows, and chin are all like mine. We are identical…
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“Blushed.”
Casandra entered the room, and I could not make eye contact, She walks past my table, and I look down at my paper, I sensed a connection, but I’m too shy to speak. Brian will not notice me when I walk into the classroom. He will not acknowledge me with…
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“The wisdom of patience.”
I can remember as far back as a kindergartener, hearing my mother, father, siblings, friends, and teachers, telling me, or writing in the margins of a report card, “Slow Down.” On many occasions throughout my life, I was told I need to develop and hopefully discover some patience. “Slow down,”…
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“Time to return to the trails.”
As the days of March wind down and I continue editing, re-editing and repeating the process of my short stories. The recent cold weather in Southwest Florida provoked a wrinkle in my ability to sit outside and write. So, I traded in my shorts, tank top, and flip-flops for my…
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“Meander.”
During my lifetime of travel along the back roads, my reason to stop is best described as “distracted.” by what my eyes witness and I want to learn and discover the details of my initial distraction. I developed this type of travel during my twenty-five plus years of riding my…
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“Suddenly there is no sound.”
Suddenly there is no sound of the trail, but I feel and hear my heart pounding after my climb to summit the small peak of 2500 feet. My breathing slows matching the calmness surrounding me, and I pause to absorb the silence. I have replaced my forty hour work week…
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“A Grey Nomads Gap Years.”
My plan for the day was to set up somewhere along the beach to write and read all day on a picnic bench under a shelter looking out onto the Gulf of Mexico. My location today is called the “Little Hickory Island Beach Park” located in Bonita Springs FL 34134. The…
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Astral Congregation
At the beach, or in the park, the morning blend of sites and sounds coupled with the warm sunrise temperatures to sooth the skin adds to the beauty of the day ahead,. Sparrows, warblers, and finches chirp with enthusiasm along with the morning doves cooing to one another adding to the softness of…
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“Travel guts: A special mode of travel.”
For over forty years I have traveled around the US for which my family and friends were astonished by the journey and marveled at the destinations completed on a motorcycle. My mother, forbid me to tell her when, or where I was going but demanded I call her immediately upon…
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“Valentines Day of love”
Well, it has come around again the commercially celebrated Valentines Day of love. It is the erotic, exotic, enticing, inspirational day for the expression and confession of love for one or more particular persons or ourselves. I write this blog post watching the sunrise from Smathers Beach in Key West…
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“Wedding anniversaries and a birthday: part #3” (Final)
The twins and Johnathan are in the rear seat of the car with their father at the wheel, as they travel along their driveway from their home to the main road. Johnathan is pitifully staring out the window wondering where they are going when his mother turns around in her…
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“Wedding anniversaries and a birthday: part #2”
At 4:45 pm, their father, Jefferson Wheeler, was a third-generation farmer, who stood six-foot, seven-inches tall, with muscular arms, and a matching barrel chest. He was a hardworking, strict disciplinarian, and his deep baritone bass voice commanded the attention of everyone when he spoke. When he drove his tractor into…
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“Wedding anniversaries and a birthday: part #1.”
It was 4:30 pm on a western Nebraska farm, in the summer of 1969 with the humid July winds blowing as usual while the Wheeler twins Jason and Jacob who were age six and digging a hole in the backyard of their parent’s farm. Their 15-year old brother Johnathan was…
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“Inscrutable trill silhouetted in front of me.”
I was scared almost out of my seat when Sister Abigale screamed at the top of her lungs forcing all of the fifth-grade students to stared forward, but it was apparent the class prankster, Abraham Jefferson had been up to no good as he snickered and laughed aloud. Her anger was…
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“I’m candid, fairly agile living on island time.”
I was born and raised in the Adirondacks in Upstate New York, and the first time I saw photos of a beach, I dreamed of living on an island. As a teenager and college student, I was a formidable long distance runner with the agility of a Gazel, but my…
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“The next dominant generation.”
I am a part of what some people call the greatest generation. When I consider how my parents who lived with nothing close to the conveniences I enjoyed as a child, progressing through my teenage years into becoming an adult, I’m proud to have survived based on today’s standards. I…
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“Blink.”
Fortunately, during my lifetime I have recorded hundreds of hours of video with accompanied thousands of photos of my now adult children. My recorded library reveals decades of family and friends, moments in time to include births, birthdays, milestone accomplishments, critical life-changing events, marriages, family reunions and yes even death.…
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“Study.”
As the college semester comes to an end, the mood of the students on the entire campus becomes stressfully solemn. Every nook and cranny is occupied as students seek silent locations for studying to assure themselves a grade worthy of not repeating the class. The University recommends study groups, flowcharts, diagrams,…
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“Loophole.”
For twenty years’ or more, the theater’s dancers have taken a ten-minute break every hour during any rehearsal no matter how long they rehearsed. Three months into the theater season a pre-law student dancer read the complete contract and discovered a nutritious meal is supposed to be served during any…
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“Winsome Characters.”
When a child is born, they are an unwritten computer program learning from parents teachers and society. M. J. Leake
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“Viable at any age.”
Mel and Susan Hubbard a married couple were sitting on a park bench after walking three miles along the beach which they do every other day when Susan tells Mel, Happy anniversary. Mel reaches into his jacket pocket and hands Susan a wedding anniversary card. As Susan reads the card,…
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“Cozy Confessions.”
My thirty plus years of travel destinations are filled with photos and encountering people who are the inspirations for some of my creative writings ideas. In the beginning, I traveled via motorcycle across the US from coast to coast and border to border culminating with an inspiring road trip from Key…
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Grandparents & Parents Revelations: A love story
Kevin and Katelynn Crawford age 38 and 39 are a couple with seven children. They have twin four year- olds, a 6, 8, 10, 12, & a 13-year-old teenager. They are a very active family with all of their children participating in some form of after-school athletic activities. The…
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“Legendary Inheritance.”
Fifteen years have passed since international Dodgeball star Lucas Leonard Lopez was seen on the court. However, his eldest son Lewis Leonard Lopez has followed in his father’s footsteps playing Dodgeball and graduating from his father’s alma-mater Potemkin University where he has led the Dodgeball team to four NCAA championships.…
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“Atmospheric; A Short story”
Three months ago Jill and I decided to take a break with a tropical island weekend getaway. On our last evening, I dressed adorned in my best island attire complete with an island decorative asher blue shirt with large dark blue orchids, a pair of tan Bermuda shorts, and my…
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“Droolling mushroom hunters.”
Hiking in the great northwest of the US brings you into contact with many types of people. My first encounter with mushroom hunters began with the honk of a horn from a passenger van when I slowed on the roadway searching for a turn to a hiking trailhead near Mount…
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“Music’s dubious riffs.”
During our annual concert, my high school’s jazz ensemble was playing before a packhouse of parents, students political dignitaries. We played several pieces that excited the whole audience who stood to applaud our performances. Our final piece was always my favorite as the first chair trumpet began their solo riff…
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“Centenarian love, passion, marriage, and dancing.”
The annual sweetheart’s dance has become a coveted gala event for the 190 residents at the “Living Years Village.” And again for the third year in a row Edgar and Elizabeth Harden gingerly, soft-shoed around the dance floor strutting to the harmonizing tunes of their 1940’s big band favorites. The…
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“Faintly simmering and being beckoned.”
I stood in the doorway of the kitchen watching my mother cooking and preparing the Thanksgiving dinner as I drooled with excitement wanting to sneak a lick of the bowls she recently mixed the german chocolate cake and its accompanying frosting. Although the aromas of faintly simmering pots filled with…
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“Ghoulish.”
I have never really liked Halloween since the horrible calamity of 1975, for which my father tells the story with the smiling gleefulness of a teenager like it was yesterday. The events of that night have left me traumatically scared for which I have endured nightmares until this day. I…
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“Mirrored Gratitude.”
With their annual Halloween party two days away, Erica stood in the mirror admiring her Cleopatra costume. She adjusted the black wig with a gold beaded headpiece while marveling at the matching earrings and choker necklace. She began studying the costumes sleeveless top with brightly colored gold pyramid sequined edgings,…
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“Identifying Trademarks.”
The identifying trademarks were visible when the border officer lifted the tarp to reveal the cylindrical barrel. This story began after my best friend Charles and I attended the San Diego Chargers and Oakland Raiders Football game Nov 16, 1997. Charles and I met and became close friends when we…
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“Hiking a slot canyon.”
Ever since I viewed photos of slot canyons in Utah’s Zion National Park, I have dreamed of hiking within the vertical rock walls reaching towards the sky allowing glimpses of sunlight into the mystical formations designed by nature over millions of years. When there is a threat of rain, the…
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“Focused, divided attention and multitasking”
The term “laser focused” is associated with academics and athletics. To reach this level of concentration takes months, years and decades of mental and physical training. Some people believe multi-tasking is an attribute and advantage when parenting more than two children. But, multitasking comes with a cautionary tale of wisdom. “It…
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“A tentative short story.”
Recreating a time from the past can be an adventure. Malcolm & Ethel Marshall, lived thirty-three wonderful years in a beautifully appointed retirement transitional housing community. They both retired at the ages of 67 and 65, and they are parents of three adult children, grandchildren and a couple of great-grandchildren.…
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“An iconic American road.”
I was traveling south along Nevada route 95 when I wandered into Las Vegas to visit family and to check out Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area. When I told my uncle of my, intentions, he thought Red Rock Casino where after a great buffet dinner, I toured the casino and discovered…
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“”Penchant for poo.”
As a child growing up, I always had Labrador Retrievers as pets, and one of my chores was picking up after the dog. When I became an adult, I swore never to get another dog to avoid picking up poo. My kids grew up with cats a lot easier to…
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“Disobey.”
I learned very early in my childhood before I started school that acting bad or being bad brought about a spanking or a scolding at the least. When I began school the report cards had a section labeled “disobeying,” and based on previous scoldings I knew never to have that…
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“Elevating my knowledge of West Wendover NV.”
My travel mission was set to photograph the Bonneville Salt Flats with a refuel top off in the town called West Wendover, NV en-route to Reno NV. However, it’s been my custom to stop at the visitors center of all towns and communities. I was greeted by both of the two wonderful ladies…
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“Enamored with Nature.”
After viewing and capturing photos of the natural beauty in Yellowstone National Park, I found the Flagg Ranch Campgrounds located along the John D Rockafeller Parkway in between Yellowstone National Park and five miles north of the Grand Teton National Park entrance. The campgrounds $40.00 fee was the steepest cost I…
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“My Homage to Travel Dreams.”
A retiree who accepts their status will become a happier person going forward into the second chapter of their lives. While many retirees remain in their past, never reflecting on their future. (M.J.Leake) As a child did I dreamed of flying or traveling around the world after reading about Amelia…
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“Unfurl and Synchronized Traffic.”
Depending on where you live planning a trip from your home to travel across town can easily be accomplished depending on where you live. In the major metropolitan cities along both the east and west coasts of American, it can be a challenge of a life time to travel…
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“Humorous moxie.”
Our eldest son Geoferry organized and paid for a private dining room in the exclusive up scale restaurant “Alain Ducasse,” inside the Dorchester hotel in downtown London to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Initially, I was against the event believing Geoffery should save his money, as I would be content…
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“Dare-Devil Great Grandmother.”
Six months ago, I was with twenty-one of my family members to watch my youngest great-granddaughter tandem parachute from a plane 12000 feet above the airport to celebrate her 21st birthday and entry into the US Army. My son and his wife Corinna were not happy, to say the least…
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“Spring Symphony!”
There was a united symbolism as the band members walked from both sides of the stage to their seats for their premiere spring symphonic performance. Everyone in the audience eagerly stood to applaud their entry. Once seated, the female conductor entered onto the stage from the left bowed to the…
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“Serendipity.”
It was a sunny Sunday morning as I waited in traffic for the light to change when the sounds of tires screeching interrupted my music. I instinctively peered into my rearview mirror to see a female on a bicycle dancing to music playing on her headphones unaware of the threatening…
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“Against all odds at any age.”
Many baby boomers remember the 1973 exhibition tennis match also known as the battle of sexes when Women’s tennis champion Billie Jean-King defeated male chauvinist Bobby Riggs. When Yvonne Hobart walked onto the European pickle-ball court, in Helsinki Finland for the championship to the applause of cheering fans, it was…
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“Crisp proud parents.”
Julius and Doretha Jefferson drove seven hours from Pittsburgh PA to West Point NY, to attend parents day at the US Army’s Military Academy. After a night in the local hotel, they awoke early for breakfast and took the short drive to the campus. They walk into the stadium, to…
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“Distances and Images.”
A tragedy brought us together, but serendipitous events spawned our meeting. My heart beats slowed in response to your beauty my eyes witnessed My voice stuttered as I introduce myself, yet I cannot remember anything else I said. But, I will forever remember your voice saying yes to meet for…
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“A detonated heart mourns and grieves with tears of, sorrow, and despair for a lost love.”
Over the centuries the village of Paliseul Belgium survived the horrors of the thirty-year war, several bouts with the ravages of the plague, and cholera. By the early 1800’s the village population of men dwindled from 67 to 8, and five of whom were in their late 40’s. Out of…
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“Radiating calm and coolness.”
Many years ago during my childhood, I was always my mother’s accompanier. If she went to a funeral, of a friend, I went. Evening events at the church, I went, and to pick up parts for my father’s gas station before auto parts stores delivered, I always went. I was…
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“Notorious Farce.”
When I was asked to speak here today, I was reticent because for the past three years I have looked upon you all seated here as my family and we all have shared many hours of conversation debating every topic imaginable. I believe I received the nickname “Notorious,” for my…
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“I have no qualms on a precipice.”
After two months of preparations, working out at a gym and buying $987.94 worth of backpacking gear. We are on the John Muir trail in Northern California and have been hiking for two days. But, for the past two hours, we have sat on a precipice overlooking a valley into…
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“Pink: Breast Cancer Awareness.”
The word pink is associated with romance, sweetness, and happiness, But the evolution of the word pink and its bright color has become associated with, breast cancer awareness. During the month of October women around the world gather in cities, towns, and villages to march in support of women’s rights…
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“Bitterly exposed, where is Edgar?”
Mother, I’m so upset and angry with Wilbur, this is the third time this month he has been naughty. What did he do? Well, when I returned home from work this evening I walked into the kitchen to see the trashcan on its side with this morning orange and grapefruit…
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“Apprentice.”
When I was newly assigned, my heart was filled with pride and honor, but, quickly I recognized it was I who was the apprentice and intern who learned to appreciated the honor it was to represent, you all. I have reflected upon my times here in the field with a…
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Zip, a generational migration
My name is Mildred Hoskins, and at the mature age of 87, my birding dream has come true. My husband Charles and I were married for 58 years when he died a couple of years ago. We met while we were both students at the University of Wisconsin at Eau…
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“Avid.”
As a child, I spent most of my life outside and unbeknownst to my parents, on nights above 32-dergrees I would sneak out of my suburban Minneapplolis MN bedroom window with a blanket to stare up at the stars twinkling in the sky. In the first grade, I was excited…
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“The 50th Wedding Anniversary.”
Hello, my name is Johnathan and tonight we have gathered to celebrate the 50th wedding anniversary of my parents. My parents have a foundation of friendship and a passionate love for one another for which their lives together as husband and wife has evolved through many of life’s tragedies and…
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“My little girl’s backyard fun.”
On a rainy Saturday, I was seated in the library reading Jane Eyre enjoying my afternoon tea, and biscuits when thunder, roared over the house with a streak of lightning flashing across the sky. I stood, approached the window to peer out onto my prize winning Sheffield England topiary garden.…
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“A child’s blind tenaciousness, and a parent’s denial.”
Within seconds of Charlie’s birth, the doctor, and I was shocked to see his dark brown eyes searching the room, his surroundings and finally fixating on me. That moment seared into my memory, heart, and soul for the rest of my life. He was a healthy baby with strong lungs…
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“Prudent kids on the cusp of being champions.”
We all have gathered her for our annual sports awards banquet to honor and celebrate the mighty, mighty, Bulldogs who are champions again. I want to recognize and applaud all of the parents, who provided pre-game, half-time, post-game foods, and snacks. I want to personally express my thanks to Mr…
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“Instinct.”
I’m no hero. I acted upon instinct pulling Mrs. Harris from her car after she collided with the fence. Everyone says I’m a hero, but I don’t fell like one. I just did what I was supposed to do. People call us heroes, but we know who we are. We…
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“Sounds of Silence.”
Many years ago I participated in a stress management class where I gathered the knowledge of learning to de-stress to live a more peaceful life. When the teacher who taught the morning class returned after lunch and stood before the class of 30-40 adults who quieted and watched as she…
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“Cleaning.”
Timothy and Susan Crawford were married thirty-nine years when on Valentine’s Day, their oldest son Jason asked his college sweetheart Meredith to marry him. Meredith said yes, and they planned a June wedding. The two dated for five years, yet waited until they finished their post doctorate degrees before discussing…
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“2016 Nomadic Adventures & photos Part #1,”
It was the 1st of April when I decided to purchase a vehicle to replace my 1991 Ford Explorer, or as my adult son called her, “The Exploder.” He and several close friends believed that upon my retirement six years prior, I should have purchased a new car. I gave…
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“Wedding Invitations,”
I attended two weddings accompanied by my special someone who excited my mother with the possibilities of our marriage one day. When my mom attended the second wedding, she discovered my special someone passionately kissing one of the groomsmen the relationship ended. I was a groomsman at the third marriage,…
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Exquisite
My name is Sylvester Williewood, and the Mercantile Finance Corporation has employed me for thirty-seven years. I began my career in the mail room, and I have risen to become the vice president of the corporation. I’m currently in negotiations with another financial institution which has offered to hire me.…
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“Uneven.”
During my four years of college, I maintained twelve college credit hours per semester, six during the summer including twelve hours of lab work per month the two semesters before graduation and during the summer, I held a part-time job of thirty hours a week. When I interviewed for employment…
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“Float. A short story”
Kevin and Katelyn Crawford ages 48 and 49 are a couple with four children ages 6, 8, 10, & 12. They are a very active family with all their children participating in some form of after-school athletic activities. They amaze their friends and neighbors as the two float through a…
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“Ovation, A short story”
The yearly winter carnival held on Lake George, in upstate New York, has produced many fish and sledding tales that have become legendary folklore. But during the 1967 winter carnival, every teenage boy tried to sled across the bottom end of the lake near the Lake George shoreline. Local politician…
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“Toys from Christmas Past; Short Story #5”
The night before Christmas and all through the house all was quiet as the Lehman family was attending Christmas Eve Services where Jason was participating in the children’s Christmas play as one of the three wise men. Because this was Jason’s first Christmas play acting role, Jeffery and Jacqueline were…
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Enthusiasm
It is our eldest son’s debut as the featured lead conductor of the famed symphonic orchestra’s Christmas concert that started at 6:00 pm. It was now 6:19 pm as I waited for my wife, Geneva For 41-years of our marriage, I have accepted knowingly she will always be late, except…
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“Holly Jolly Folly Christmas Re-Gifts. Short Story#4”
With 72-hours before their employees, Christmas parties. Jeffery and Jaqueline have yet to map out one of their most important decision of the Christmas season, what to regift for their co-workers. After their first Christmas, they decided to regift the wired, uncanny, and simply the gaudiest gifts they could ever…
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” Moody; Bah-Humbug!”
Eighty-seven-year-old Wilbur Wainwright, the owner of a window installation company, based in Ottumwa Iowa, began the business sixty-three years ago. He married once, divorced within a year, and never had any children. He never remarried again. He never attended church, never contributed to any charitable organization within his community and…
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“Christmas Folly & Martyr.”
Robert Avenell; During Thanksgiving dinner, the Avenell brothers were enamored with an old 1950’s Sears & Robuck catalog their Uncle Rosco brought to the holiday dinner. The catalog was a great talking item, and the boys soon discovered all of the toys in the book, along with the guns they…
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“Treasured Christmas Gifts, Short Story #3.”
It’s has been two days since Jeffery and Jacqueline consumed three bottles of Advent wine and ate four boxes of Advent calendar chocolate candies. But, with the Christmas tree decorated, the Christmas shopping completed, and the Christmas Cards mailed. The Leahman family enjoys their Christmas evenings a lot more listening…
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“Chaotic Chocolate, Short Story #2.”
After spending Thanksgiving with Jeffery’s parents, the couple enjoyed a leisurely ride home but stopped to buy a live Christmas tree in which Jason helped choose. They looked forward to evenings decorating the tree, signing Christmas cards and wrapping gifts. Because of 5-year-old Jason’s engaging personality with the baby boomers…
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“Bludgeon.”
When the suspect took the stand in his defense to explain his side of the assault and battery. The first question the prosecuting attorney asked the defendant was to describe what type of bludgeoning device he used against the victim. The defendant stated, “I did not use a bludgeoning device.”…
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“Eerie.”
Eunice Hedge-Clapper died at age 62 when her car was struck by falling debris from an overpass as she sat in traffic on Interstate 95 north of Washington DC. The eerily uncanny accident and her immediate death shocked her suburban community north of Washington DC Just under two hundred people…
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Copycat
Good, afternoon I’m the eldest brother who is six years older than my sister Erin, aka “Baby Princess.” I gave her that name since our father spoiled her immensely. I believe our parents spaced us out making me the supreme babysitter extraordinaire for many years. At age fifteen, I took…
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“Rearrange.”
For thirty-five years, Oscar and Eunice’s marriage has faced various obstacles testing their enduring love for one another. Oscar has learned and developed the wisdom to rearrange his perception of women to survive his marriage. On the eve of his eldest son’s marriage David, Oscar provides some wisdom and knowledge. The…
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“Banned.”
Gerald McClain and Cody Whitten both age 89, have been life-long friends growing up on farms in Iowa near the small town of Hampton. After retirement and many cold winters in Iowa, they moved to Bradenton Florida with their wives. They married twin sisters, Beulah and Betty Conklin on Valentine’s…
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“The Tiny Non-Profit Philanthropist.”
Every sorority on campus worked hard to recruit Twins Joan and Jenny Armstrong who stand 4’9″ tall. They are in the second semester of their third year of college maintaining a 4.0-grade point average in advanced astrophysics. Neither were ever interested in the sorority life. They recently received notoriety from…
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“Trust.”
Jacob and Hellen, have been married for twenty years when Hellen arrived home from work a couple of hours earlier than usual. As Hellen turned into the driveway, she was surprised to see an “Easy Man, Maid Service” car parked on the street in front of their house. She assumed…
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“Boy Scout, Spelunking.”
When I was a Boy Scout, I loved camping, hiking and everything associated with being a Boy Scout and I was exposed to the word “spelunking,” which is the exploration of caves. Missouri has more than 6,200 caves—second only to Tennessee—and is known as the Cave State. More caves are…
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“Subdued worry.”
It’s been twelve hours, and usually, they are home by now. Something is wrong, I feel it, and I sense it. The neighbor’s German shepherd, Felix is barking happy barks, so the neighbors are home. I’m worried. Something has happened to them because I’m usually smelling food cooking on the…
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“Subdued.”
It’s been ten hours since I have seen my best friends and usually, they are home. I can tell something is wrong since the neighbor’s German shepherd, Felix is barking happy barks. I’m worried. Something may have happened to them because I’m usually smelling food cooking on the stove and…
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“Candle.”
The word candle conjures up many thoughts of how the candle for hundreds of years was used to light the night. The gas lantern threatened the candle industry until Edison invented electricity and both were history or so we thought. Until, scented candles became the rage especially around my house…
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“Flattery.”
It is often said, “Flattery will get you nowhere.” However, I believe a little or a lot of honest and sincere flattery will go a long way to please a loved one, or will it? Take the case of my neighbor Calbert Winston. I happened to be outside to watched…
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“The Argument”
On a cold December morning, two weeks before Christmas, at 4:00 am the clock radio compact disc alarm activated softly playing The Beatles song, “Here comes the sun.” Tom Hartfield, rolls over to his wife Kathy of three years to kiss her on the cheek. Kathy opens her eyes and smiles, returning…
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“Borders & Birds.”
Welcome to WBN, your only destination for bird news worldwide. The year was 2011 when the World Bird Federation met for the first time since the 1966 DDT scare. Ever since the last meeting many bird organizations like the City Pigeons Association, Finches World Wide, and the formidable World Predatory…
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2016 International Balloon Fiesta
I realize it has been 9-days of daily balloons sightings as they rose into the morning sky. Ok, not every day, because some morning were too cold for me, and mother nature influenced the morning with breezy winds or precipitation. However, all in all, it was an incredible opportunity to…
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Tree: A short story.
When I arrived home from work and pulled into the garage, I heard my daughter voice saying “Dad” as I exited the car. I looked around the garage as I heard her voice again. My kids David and Angela aged 12 & 10, with my son being the oldest have…
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“Daring.”
I dare you. I dare you. I double dog dare you. I triple dog dare you. These are the words and statements used by little boys that caused one of the boys to stick his tongue out and it freezes to a metal pole. Click the link for an example; A…
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“Breakthrough.”
Sometimes life’s greatest achievements occur, with a breakthrough moments before giving up. One example of a breakthrough moment takes place when parents construct toys the night before Christmas only to complete them just before the children wake up. Another incident was the mother who baked a birthday cake from scratch but…
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Migrating Settlers & Rv’ers
Just like the early settlers who migrated west walking 20oo-miles, there is a current migration of travelers in recreational vehicles who criss-cross the US, Canada, and Mexico. However, during the fall many RV’ers follow the migratory birds south to warmer climates after the Labor Day weekend celebrated…
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Radical Moose Encounter
What would be the radical experiences to capture morning photos of the sunrise at a place called Silver Lake at Brighton Utah, 8000 feet above sea level? I never thought the term wildlife and landscape photographer would describe me but after an encounter with a young bull moose. I can…
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“Twinkle.”
In college, there were weekends when many in my dorm would venture out to the lake near the university for a keg party. I reluctantly attended hoping to leave after an hour to return to my room to study some world history. It was a warm evening when I met…
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“Cake.”
Working in an office environment is essentially a cake environment. Cake for birthdays, Cake for returning to work, Cake for leaving or taking a new position, Cake for the baby shower, Cake for the bridal shower, Cake for completion of a project, and finally, cake from a co-worker who…
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“Shiver.”
During the winter month’s my mother always dressed me warmly with a thick heavy coat, gloves, knit cap and a pair of rubber boots for snow. On a cold winter snowy afternoon, my mom recognized I was playing in the snow with one rubber boot on my right foot. I…
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“Vice.”
My evolution of the word “VICE.” As a child growing up, my father had a garage with a workbench with a vice similar to the one in the photo above. For me, the word “vice” has taken on many different meanings after the age of 21. On a rainy day,…
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Realizations of a Travel Writer.
Several days ago, I wrote separate responses for WordPress daily word prompts for the words “stubborn,” “praise,” “muse,” “crave,” “profound,” and “apology.” As I formulated my thoughts, I recognized the calm, peaceful, and relaxed feeling of absolute happiness within me that had me reflect upon and contemplate why? As a…
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“Crisis”
The word crisis expresses the idea or belief of something urgent, and I feel the word is used for dramatic effect to garner people’s immediate attentions. I was peddling my bicycle one day when I pass a mother and her two kids on their bikes. The two boys were using…
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“Nightmare”
While working at my desk, my dream turned into a nightmare I dreamed I was aware and awake of my nightmare. The nightmare never completed, was it a dream? Was I asleep or awake in my dream when the nightmare ended? Stressed, before work thinking about the night before and…
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Forgetful RV’ers
Jim aged 87 and Mathew, age 89 are retirees from Florida and have been full-time RV’ers for the past twenty years. Late one night they are seated around a campfire in Mesa AZ when their discussion turns to when they plan to turn their keys in for a sticks or…
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“Desert, which one?”
After an argument, I deserted my wife for the solitude and warmth of the desert, where I enjoyed the chocolate cake she made for dessert. When I return home with sunburned arms and face, she stated, I received my just desserts. One word, two different meaning, add an “S,” and…
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St. Louis Mo.
My journey as a travel writer begins in the city of my birth St. Louis, Missouri the “Show Me State.” On June 4, 2016, I started living full-time in a small recreational vehicle to travel the back roads of America. Before I left Southwest Florida, April 30, 2016, I purged…
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Voyages
The various reasons voyages are taken range from curiosity to seeking what’s’ over the next hill, seeking adventure to explore places unknown, a pilgrimage of self-reflection and sometimes you just want to return home. My voyage is a combination of all three. My curiosity to see what is over the…
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“Serendipity”
I use the word “serendipity” to describe the events that have brought about my writing and photography experiences and opportunities. Serendipity took center stage Tuesday morning after I met an old friend of thirty years. We sat for breakfast sharing lots of experiences from our previous career and catching up…
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“Rebuild”
A large part of my life for many years I worked at my father’s business rebuilding car motors and transmissions, yet, it was my first teenager date when I understood my mother’s complaints of having dirty fingernails. The young lady I took on a date to the movies asked about the…
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“Embarrassing”
Embarrassing moments take place throughout life, and every time I see someone spill a liquid in their lap, I think of the horribly awkward moment when I returned from the men’s room and my son age 12 or 13 at the time pointed to the front of my pants and…
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“Confession or legendary tale”
I was born and raised in a fishing village on a South Pacific Island where my father died recently in a fishing accident when I was 16 years old, and ever since, I have fished alone. I was fishing at sunset with one line and one hook when I caught…
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“Denying or Justifying”
Looking into a mirror many humans see something they are not. Denying the color of thy eyes Denying the color of thy skin, Denying thy age Denying thy weight Denying or justifying instead of facing, or admitting, the truth of who you are. What do you deny or justify? WordPress…
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“Sentimental”
Response to the one word prompt “Sentimental.” Most humans develop a sentimentality with inanimate objects, and I like many people have developed an attachment to my 1991 Ford Explorer. My car has become a fixture in my life and within a few weeks, my attachment to the longest relationship I…
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“The Worlds Best Gadget”
You’ve been granted magical engineering skills, but you can only use them to build on badge or machine. What do you build? For well over one hundred years a book has been the greatest technological efficient machine available to the masses, and now currently available electronically. If granted the skills,…
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“Courage to Overcome”
Courage to overcome life’s obstacles is essential, however, what motivators are used to begin and sustain the courage to overcome? Awakening from what I hope was a nightmare is all I could imagine. My eyes were closed as my right hand felt the soft fur of something breathing. The breath reminded…
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“Happy Endings”
Tell us about something you’ve tried to quit. Did you go cold turkey, or for a gradual change? Did it stick? In the early 1980’s, I was in the Army, and I controlled my addiction by committing twenty dollars a paycheck to fulfill my desires. There are times; I would…
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“Stroke of Midnight”
Where were you last night at midnight? Would you have wanted to be somewhere else? On Dec 31 2015 New Years Eve I was at the beach by 8:00 pm to watch the festivities set to begin at midnight, however the rowdy drunken personalities of many of the people caused me…
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“Polite Company”
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Polite Company.” “It’s never a good idea to discuss religion or politics with people you don’t really know.” Agree or disagree? For over ten years I worked at my father’s business, and there was an important rule for customers and employees to neither discuss…
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“Safety First”
Share a story about a time you felt unsafe. When I began kayaking fishing, I was never worried about my safety with my personal floatation device secured, sunscreen, hat to block the sun, a whistle, lights and flares. However when I began fishing the waterways of Southwest Florida, I encountered…
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“Everything Changes” (A love story)
Walking down the street, you encounter a folded piece of paper on the sidewalk. You pick it up and read it and immediately, your life has changed. Describe the experience. Charles and Barbara, a married couple of sixty-five years, walk the beach every morning near their seaside home in…
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“Strike-a-Chord”
Do you play and instrument? Is there a musical instrument whose sound you find particularly pleasing. Tell us a story about your experience or relationship with an instrument of your choice. This prompt strikes a cord of fond memories from my years as a concert and marching band member of…
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“This is your life”
If you could read a book containing all that has happened and will ever happen in your life, would you, if you choose to read it, you must read it cover to cover. If you journal your life either hand written or with a computer, the opportunity to understand what…
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The Wanderer
Tell us about the top five place you’ve always wanted to visit The word “Wanderer” is the name I gave my motorcycle nine years ago. I wandered across the US from Key West Florida to Fairbanks Alaska, one town at a time. However, when I started blogging I discovered the…
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“The Outsiders”
WordPress Daily Post Prompt Tell us about the experience of being outside, looking in — however you’d like to interpret that. During the summer of 1968, at age 10, I was allowed to ride my bicycle down the sidewalk and around the block to a friends house. My only rule…
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“The New School”
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “The New School.” You get to redesign school as we know it from the ground up. Will you do away with reading, writing, and arithmetic? What skills and knowledge will your school focus on imparting to young minds? If I was given…
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“Singular or Multiple Sensations”
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Singular Sensation.” If one experience or life change results from you writing your blog, what would you like it to be? My blog has morphed from “Retiree Lifestyles,” on to “An Aspiring Writer” and continues to evolve. My retirement is the one…
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A Storybook Day
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “A Storybook Day.” You have to spend one day as or with your favorite fictional character. Which one would it be and what would you do? My storybook day began before sunrise when I decided to ride my bicycle to the park to…
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“Green-Eyed Monster” (A Short Story)
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Green-Eyed Monster.” Tell us about the last time you were really, truly jealous of someone. Did you act on it? Did it hurt your relationship? In 1995, the Christmas toy craze became “Beanie Babies.” and young children were begging their parents and…
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“The Perfect Game, A Short Story”
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “The Perfect Game.” You’re set to play poker (or Scrabble or something else . . .) with a group of four. Write a story set during this game. Or, describe the ideal match: the players, the relationships — and the hidden rivalries.…
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“Brilliant Disguise”
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Brilliant Disguise.” Tell us about a time when someone had you completely fooled, where the wool was pulled right over your eyes, and you got hoodwinked, but good. Was it a humorous experience or one you’d rather forget? What was the outcome?…
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“The Kindness of a Stranger & Honoring a Bet”
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “The Kindness of Strangers.” When was the last time a stranger did something particularly kind, generous, or selfless for you? Tell us what happened! Many times as I commute to work, I, like so many other commuters, eye contact is avoided and never…
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“Hear No Evil”
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Hear No Evil.” Tell us about a conversation you couldn’t help but overhear and wish you hadn’t. I usually use Southwest Airlines from the Washington DC area to fly west, and they’er connecting hub is located at Chicago’s Midway Airport and I…
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“Fright, flight, courage, and gumption.”
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Fight or Flight.” Write about your strongest memory of a heart-pounding, belly-twisting nervousness: what caused the adrenaline? Was it justified? How did you respond? Jeb Collier, was a 17 years old, standing 6’7″, 140 pounds, with beautiful strawberry colored hair and…
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Greetings, Stranger (Daily Prompt)
You’re sitting at a café when a stranger approaches you. This person asks what your name is, and, for some reason, you reply. The stranger nods, “I’ve been looking for you.” What happens next? I respond with my best impersonation of Robert De Niro’s character in the movie Taxi Driver,…